Anupam Kher’s Oscar race

Anupam Kher, who plays psychiatrist Dr Patel in the Hollywood movie Silver Linings Playbook, is ecstatic after it bagged eight nominations at the 85th Academy Awards and describes it “as the biggest moment of my life.”

The romantic-comedy has received nominations including ‘Best Picture’, ‘Best Director’, ‘Best Actress’, ‘Best Actor’ and ‘Best Supporting Actor’ and is the first film in 30 years to win Oscar nominations in all four acting categories.

“As an Indian actor I feel rewarded for my 30 years of contribution in cinema. I am glad to have worked with the fabulous cast and crew of the movie. David O Russell is undoubtedly a brilliant filmmaker and he has proved it again. A major part of me as an actor feels satiated today!” said a visibly happy Kher.

Directed by Russell, the film stars Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawerence, Jacki Weaver and Anupam. The 57-year-old actor added, “Being a part of a story as beautifully and subtly told as SLP is a satisfactory experience on its own. I was blown with the screenplay itself. It being nominated for Oscars makes me proud of the fact that I get to share the excitement with a cast and crew as spectacular as that of SLP and of course being someone who got the opportunity to contribute to the whole process by doing what I enjoy most. Exciting!” Oscars will take place in Los Angeles on February 24 and the movie has also been nominated for the 19th Screen Actors Guild Awards.